US2608197A - Apparatus for pickling coils - Google Patents

Description

C- G. WATSON APPARATUS FOR PICKLING COILS Aug. 26, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 24, 1948 INVENTOR BY RLES G h ATsolv A-rronnzvs llLlillll I l lLllllll Aug. 26, 1952 c. G. WATSON APPARATUS FOR PICKLING cons 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 24, 1948 INVENTOR. CHARLES G WATSON 1952 c. G. WATSON 2,608,197

APPARATUS FOR PICKLJNG COILS Filed March-24, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 IN V EN TOR.

CHARLES G WATSON ATTORNEYS Patented Aug. 26, 1952 APPARATUS FOR PICKLING COILS Charles G. Watson, Youngstown, hio, assignor' to The Youngstown Welding & Engineering Company, Youngstown, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio I Application March 24, 1948, Serial No. 16,838

3 Claims.

This invention relates to an apparatus for' pickling loosely coiled metallic material such as strip steel, wire or the like.

'In the course of manufacture of strip steel, or other relatively long metallic material, the material can be coiled in relatively open or loose flat spiral configurations; or in the case of strip steel, it can be coiled tight and back spun to open up the coil loops. It is, however, difficult to remove grease, scale or other deleterious substances from such material when in coiled form and, in particular, it is very difficult to properly pickle strip steel, or the like when thus coiled. This is due primarily to the fact that conventional pickling methods and apparatuses do not provide sufflcient movement of the convolutions of the coils relative to each other so that the scale or other substances thereon is not properly loosened and the pickling solution does not properly penetrate between the convolutions. Moreover, conventional procedures and apparatuses do not cause sufficient bodily movement of the coils in the pickling solution with'the result that a considerable portion of the scale or other deleterious substances which is loosened is still retained within the convolutions. I

An object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved apparatus for treating,- for example, pickling, loosely coiled metallic material, wherein the coil is immersed in a treating solution and repeatedly raised and lowered therein and rotated while immersed.

Another object of the invention'is to provide a novel and improved apparatus for treating loosely coiled metallic material such as strip steel, wire or the like, which comprises repeatedly varying the radial separation between different portions of the convolutions of the coil while immersed in a treating solution and also partially rotatingthe coil while so immersed.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved apparatus for pickling loosely coiled strip steel, wire or the like, wherein the coil is repeatedly raised and lowered and the weight of the coil utilized to assist in effecting repeated variations in the radial separation between different portions of the convolutions of the coilwhile immersed in a picklingsolution and also in partially bodily rotating the coil and/or circumferentially displacing the convolutions relative to each other while the coil is immersed and in alternation with the variations in the radial separation of the convolutions.

The invention further, resides in certain novel features of construction and combination, and.

2 arrangement of parts of an apparatus, and fur ther objects and advantages thereof will be ap parent to those skilled in the art to which it'pertains from the following description of the present preferred embodiment described with refer-'- ence to the accompanying drawings in which similar reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views and in which:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a novel apparatus constructed in accordance with this invention;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken substantially on the section line 22'of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken on the section-line 33 of Fig. 1 and showingone of the coils to be treated in its uppermost position within the pickling tank;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 3 but showing the coil of material being treated in its lowermost position in the tank;

' Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken substantially on the section line 5-5 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 6 is a schematic iring diagram of a suitable electric circuit for controlling operation of the motor for the apparatus.

The apparatus of this invention is capable of being used to subject loosely coiled metallic material, such as strip steel or the like, to treatment by a variety of different solutions. For the sake of conciseness and definiteness, however; the novel apparatus is hereinafter specifically described as used to pickle loose spiral coils of strip metal. This restriction of the description is, however, only for the purpose of illustrating one practical embodiment and is not to be considered as limiting the invention to such a use. i

As shown in the drawings, the present preferred apparatus comprises a pickling tank generally designated l0 which may be formed ofany suitable material and is adapted to contain a pick}- ling solution. Adjacent one side of the tank are spaced stands or pillars II and i2 which may be formed separately from the tank or as integral projections therefrom. Upon the top surface of the pillar l I are mounted a pairof bearing brack ets or supports [3 and 14 in parallel spacedrelationship. A corresponding pair of bearing supports or brackets l5 and I6 are mounted in par; allel spaced relationship upon the top of the 'pil lar or stand l2. Each of the bearing supports or brackets l3, [4, I5 and I6 is provided with a substantially semi-circular bearing surface adjacent its upper forward end in which a shaft I1 is rotatably or rockably supported, which shaft is held from displacement relative to the brackets by bearing cap members [8, I9, 20 and 2| secured 3 to the bearing brackets l3, l4, l5 and [6, respectively, by suitable bolts such as 22.

The shaft I! is provided with an arm 23, one end of which is fixedly connected to the shaft l1 intermediate the bearing brackets l3 and 14. A second arm 24 similar to the arm 23 is fixedly secured to thezshaft, I l 'intermediateithe:bearing brackets--l5 -and [6. The arms 23 and 24 rock with the shaft 11, extend therefrom in substantial alignment forwardly over the tank I0, and. are provided adjacent their forwardenda with.

semi-circular recesses for removably receiving a bar 25 forming a part of asupportingmeansfor.

the coils C which are to beatreeted; Itisztc understood that one or more coils may be simultaneously treated depending upon the construction of the apparatus and thewidth of thecoiled material. The bar 25 may be substantially circular in cross section, as shown, or may simply have cylindrical bearing surfaces formed thereon for cooperation with, the-semi-circularz recesses in the arms; .23'.and 24. Depending from the-lower seaace of.- the 2,5 is a: hook-like. member.- 28 adapted to-be-insertedthrough. the central, openthe coil or coils C to be treatedsc. that the latter belifted andsupported by the hook with. their: axes, extending substantially horizontally and parallel with thelength oftheatank.

The hook 26.:may be. constructed in any;v suitablermanner but isphere shown as aplatehaving reeutorci-ng flangev membersalong the edges thereof}. the: hook; preierably being; made of inert to the treatingsolution. The. bar litiSzfiIflihfiI provided 3 with suitable." means. such azioop members; 2i! and for receiving cables or the like by whichtherbar, and hencethe coils supported thereon. mayv *beliftcd; from the, tank and: transported. to any "desired: position. by: a crane or the like. i previously mentioned; the shaft I1.- and hence the armssn and 2.4 are repeatedlyrocked moppositedirections. This-may be: effected by unsuitable means... As illustrated in the drawings, the shaft is rocked-bye reversible electric motor-swcennec ed t0. the; input. shafit; 3a: of a scar -muetion unit 31;, the-output. shaft 3.2. of whichrisconnected with theshaft 'l;'l., Thegear regimetionrunit 3|. providesua. large reduction or that the shaft 32 zmoves at a relatively slowspeed and; isprovidedwtth-a. means, generally: designated 34; i'or-v automatically effecting res vel'saln l the motor 28 'when1 the shafts-:SZ-andil have been rotated-1through-.a,. preselected portion L3 revolution so. that the arms. 213: and J are rocked through an arc ot vpreselectcdnsizer;

shown .in Fig; theI mechanism.34:- compn'seaapair of electricalswitches 35 am}, 36-01 commercial construction .mountedfor sequential actuation-by asector-shaped actuator; generally designated 31-, whichis connected to theshaft 32.. Breterably, the sector-shaped actuator "3.1 is adiustable so. that the limitsiandextent of arouatezmovement of: the shaft,32-, and'henceof the arms, 23,.and, 24, be adjusted. In the illustratedembodimentthis is; achieved; by having; the actuator;- 31, formed, of. two sector-shaped'mem bers 38 and- IiQ-eachadfiustably fixe to; the shaft by set. screws, In, addition, they-members, may he provided withv cooperating; arcuate; slots, tor thereception ofjaconnectingbolt 40. Thermemhers and; 35- may; be, angularly addustedrelativeto each, other and/or the shaft. 32 to vary the; ex ent and/or limits, of; the. angular movementoi shaft 32,, which inturn. determines the elmntzofi andathe limitsto whichthe armszi'and 4 24 are rocked. Further adjustment of the angular movement of the shaft 32 may be effected by adjusting the bracket members H and 42, upon which the switch members 35 and 38 are mounted, relative to the housing of the unit 34.

For this purpose the switch mounting brackets are," provided: with slots-'j'thl'o h which the mounting screws-43, 40; respectiveiyipass. The switches 35 and 36 are provided with pivoted actnating arms and 46, respectively, adapted to becontacted alternately by the sector-shaped actuator 3Tto momentarily close their normally opencontacta.

'Ilhezelectric:motor 29 shown is of the threephase, alternating current, reversible type and the energization thereof for rotation in opposite directionis-under the control of the switches 35 and 36. This is eifected by connecting a source of three-phase electrical power, represented by the wires Ll, L2 and L3, to one set of contacts of. a circuit breaker the other contacts.- 01' which are respectively connected with.v wires. v H, 48 and 49 on the machine side. ofithecircuit. Thewire connectible tow onedeadofthe motor 29; either through the normally open contact. Slanof airelay 52=and a wire "a, or through a-wire-Hb and thernormall-y open. contact 58 of. a relay The-wire. wisxconnectible with a second-lead 5-l orthe motor through a normally open contact 52b-cftherelay 52. The wire/43 15 connectible with-the third lead-53. of the motor 2 fl through the normally open contact 520 of relay 52: One endof arwire- 54- is-connected with the-wire at a point.- between thecircuit breaker 5aarmtthe contact lathe-other.- end' of this wire being, connectible with one-. end 0! wire: 55 through thenormally open contact. 5 6b of 1 the; 1'9? lay 56, the1other end ofthe wire 55 beingsconnected. with theme-tor. lead- 53.. A wire-511sconnectedat oneendwiththewire-AS betweencin cu-i-tbreaker; ill-and the: contact 520, the other endof this'wireiilzbeingconnectible tothe motor lead 51 throughthe normally open contact 551: of relay Shanda-wire 58. Consequently, when the-circuit breaker: 50 is :closed and the relay 52 is energized while relay 56 is deenerg-ized, the motor is energized .for rotation. in one direction timoug-hthe-leads H, 51 and 53 and the now. closed- .contactsg52a', 52b and: 520. Whenrela-yy52 is deenergizednand relay 56 is energized; thev motor; is; their energized ;.for. rotation in the reverse direction since the; contacts 52a, 52b and 52.01am novwopemand'the: contacts 56a, Siband 5.61: are closedzwith the. result: that the motor leads 5l1arnd531'are, in'eflect', reversed by the now-closed-contactsfifib and 56c. The energizetioir ofizthez relays52 and 58 are under control of. the-,switchesrfl andrai, respectively, so that the-.motonl! rotatesv in onev direction until the actuator 31 operatesone of these switches at which; time. the? motor is. reversed and operates imthe-areyerse; direction until the actuator engageszthe; otherof; the switches. This reversing actiorrcontinues aszlong'as' the; apparatus is in operation.

In; order that. the motorcircuit will remain closedafter the actuator 3:1 has; moved from an gagement with: the-operatingarm of once! the switches. 35, 36 and until the said actuator engagesz'the; operating arm of the other'of' these switches; the relays:i52:and 56-?are each provided withaddition'alcontacts for controlling holding circuits for the'rel'ays. Thus-relay 52 is provided with. a normally open: contact 52d, adapted to engage. and; bridge stationary contacts 59 i and- '60,

andthisrelay also has a normally closed contact.

- therefore provided for the coil of relay56,-this is connectedwith a wire I2 which interconnects the contacts 60 and 63 and, inaddition, the wire Til-is connected to-oneterminalH-i of the-"coil ofa relay 14. The other terminal of relay 14 is connected to: the wire 41' bya wire l 5', the latter also being connected to one terminal [6 ofjthe coil of relay 52-and to the corresponding terminal Ofthe coil" of relay 58 by means of awire H. Theotherterminal '78- oi the coil of relay 56 is connected to the contact 56 by a wire 19 while the s econd-terminal 88 of the coil of relay 52 is connected to the contact 64 by a wire 8|. The

relay [4 is provided with two normally open contacts Ma'and l4b'adapted-to respectively engage and bridge stationary'contacts 82; '83 and 84, 85.

The contactsBZ- and 84 are connected together and to the wire 68 by means of a wire 8B.- The contact 83 is connected to'the previously mentioned wire'ill while the contact 85 is connected with-awire 8"! whichis in turn connected to the stationary contacts 59, til-and to thestationary contact of switch 35. The movable contact of switch isconnected to the wirelfl. which is, in turn connected with the terminal l8 of the coil of relay 56. -The movable contact 'of' switch 36 is connected with the wire 8], l the stationary con:- tact ofthis switch being connectedwith the wire 8! and hence with the terminal 8ll'of the coil of 'elay'52. -w'I'he contacts 62 and 65'are interconnecte'd byawire 88. V

The circuit just described issuch that, when the circuit breaker fifl is closed; the motor 29 is placed in operation by momenarily depressing the start button H. This closes a circuit through the coil of relay 14 energizing the latter and thereby closing the normally open contacts 14a and 1412.

A holding'circuit for relay "I4 is thus provided by the now closed contact 14a so that the relay [4 is held energized until the stop button 69 is actum V The momentary closing of start switch H also provides an energizing circuit for the coil of relay 52, through stop switch 69, start'switch ll, wires 10, 12 andthe normally closed contact 56d. Con sequently, relay 52 now closes its normally open contacts 52a, 52b, 52c and 52d and opens its normally closed contact 526. Closing of the contact 52d provides a holding circuit for the relay 52* through the now closedcontacts 14b, contact 520'. and contact 56d. At the same time the move ment of the contact 52c to open position prevents energization of the relay. Closing of the contacts 52a, 52b and52c energizes the'motor 29 for rotation in one direction with consequent rocking of the arms 23,24.

Rotation of the motor and movement of the arms 23 and 24 continue in this direction until the'actuator .31' engages the arm of switch :35' moving the arm 45 to circuit closing position.

When this occurs a circuit is completed ener-' gizing the relay 56 sothat the contacts 56a, b, 56c and 56e of the latter are moved to closed positions and contact SM is moved to open posi-- tion. Opening of th circuit-at'SBd deenergizes relay 52- so that'its contacts 52a, 521), 520 and 52d move to open-positions while its contact 52c moves to "circuit closing position. A holding circuitis circuit extending through the now closed contacts 52c and 56a. Openingo-f the contacts 52a, 52b and 520 has deenergized the motor 29 thu 'termtnating its rotation and that of thearms 23, 24 in one-direction and substantially simultaneously therewiththe contactsEBa', 56b and 560 havemoved to circuit closing positions thereby energizingmotor 29 to rotate th latter and hence rock the arms 23, 24 in the opposite direction.

Rotation of the motor and movement of the arms in 'this reversedirection continue until the actuator 31 engages the'movable arm 46 of switch 36 moving the arm 46 to circuitclosing position. When this'occurs a circuit is now completed through the switch 36 for again energizing the coil of relay 52. Energization of relay52closes its normally open'contacts 52a, 521),520 and 52d and opens its normally closed contact 52e.- .The opening of the latter contact breaks the holding circuit for relay 56 deenergi'zingthe latter sothat. its contacts 55a, 56b, 56c and 56e moveto open positions while its contact 56d move's'to circuit closing position. 1 Closing of the contact 56d again provides a holding circuit for the relay '52 through the now closed contacts 52d and 56d. Opening of the contacts 560., 55b'and 56c deenergizesthe 'motor 29 terminatingthe' rotation of the latter v and 'the movement of the arms 23, 24in the re v'erse directionwhlle the substantially simultaneous closing of the-contacts 52a, 52b and 520 againenergizes the motor for rotation inthe first 'direction. v V

- The motor 29 is, therefore, repeatedly alternately energized for rotation in reverse directions for effecting rocking of the arms'23, 24' through" I an arc of predetermined extent; the size of-=this are being determined by the-adjustment oi the actuator 3! and/or adjustments ofthe mounting brackets 4|, 42 of the switches 35, 36.-i When the operator desires to stop rocking of the arms he-simply depresses the'stopbutton 69 thereby deenergizing relay (4 and opening its contacts 14a and 7417. Operation of the apparatus may be again initiated by momentary actuationof: the start button H I In addition to the above described features,- the apparatus shown includes spaced abutments or' members 89 and 90 in the bottom of the tank In" and extending lengthwise .thereof, which mom bersengage and support the coil or coils C in their lowermost position. Theabutment 89 ishigher than the abutment 9!! and the inner edges of the abutments are disposed at opposite sides of the vertical diameter of the coil or coils being treated, the upper inner edge of the abutment preferably being beveled as shown. It will also be ob served that the lengths of arms 23, 24 is less than one-half the Width of the tank lflso that'the vertical diameter of the 'coil 0r-coils C supported therein isat one side of the longitudinal center line of the tank. 7 i

The construction is such that when the' (ions C are supported upon the hook 26an'd the arms 23, 24 are in their uppermost positions, as shown- 7: otter; az-slisht movement jtheiouter 'convolutionsoftthescoilsorg coils; engage the; beveled .surfaceof.

abutment: 8.8., Since; this beveled surface. of theiabutment 89 i posed to. oneflsidei of. the vertiealgdiameter. of thehcoil or coils, further. downward. movement of, the arms 23,. 2.4 causes. .oonvolutions-ot the: coil.v or coils. to. rotate. relative. to. this abutmentand. to the, book; 25. the: support. affordedby the, latter. is Dmgressively removed; during the. downward milement. of; the; arms, and; the. weight: of. the

ooihor. coils-is transferred to, the abutments. 89. I

anckfim Imthein-lowermost.positionsthe coilsrest womthe abutments 89, 00 and are. entirelyor. primarily. supported thereby. The nature and arrangement of, the. abutmentsis; such. that the wei htpt the coil or; coils; has caused them to. mtatea slightly relative: to. the, hook 26 and/or causedzrelative circumferential. displacement of; theeconvolutions with respect toeachother. In additiorn. the-upper; portions or the. convolutions: oLtlie coil arenow radially spaced while thelower. portion of; th .convolutions; are insubstantial n agement. V 7

.The extent .of. the. relative circumferential dis-- placement of the convolutions of j the coils :and/or. the bodily-rotation of-thercoilmay be any. desired amount depending upon the shape and spacing of; theprojections 89; Stand the extentof rockingzmovementrimparted to thearmslii, 24. That. isgto say, aiter the-,coillor. coils haveengaged the. ahutments; 89; 90' andthe hook 26 is still-par tially su porting, the coils the convolutions thereof will heve beenq circumferentially dis laced with respect. to -.ea.chP other but the coilor. coils. have notes yet bodilyjrotatedwith respectto the hook. Its-:the-.rotation-.ofv the arms 23. and; 24 continue and the hook 26 moves further downwardly and out enga ement, with the; upper-portion of the innenoonvolution of thescoilorcoils C, thisrelafl e circumferential displacement -ofthe convolutions. oithe, coilor coils will be. relieved and=the coil or. coils will:rest upon the abutmentsinposition'swvhich are; rotated and eccentricwithrespect toathe position which theyoccupied when supported-by the hook. On the other. hand; the-parts may be; so positioned and the extent of angular: rockingeofi the: arms 23; be so adjusted-that the.- coils; Cv are-martially' supported, by the hook 26' even inthe-lowermost position of the: arms 23,124

so that while there will be circumferentialdis! placement of 'the convolutionsof the coil there wili-belittle if; any bodily rotation ofthe coil. Therparticular mode ofoperation is selected; in

aceordance withqthenature of the material being.

treated and'theoondition of that material. Consequently; where the expression partialrotation ot-the. coil is employed in the appended claims, it-is to beunderstood as including either bodily rotation of' thecoil or relative circumferential displacement of. theconvolution; of thecoil, or. both.v I a when the-hook now-moves upwardly againby the rocking- ofthe arms 23, 24 in the reversedi motion the radial spacing betweenthe convolue tionsofthe coi'ls is again changed and thecoil is. lifted slightly above the abutments'89, 90; Since thehoolc 264s disposed .eccentrically with respect to the coil or coils-C'when the latter are in their lowermost position, this lifting of coils also' protimes a further partial rotation thereof. This varying of the radial spacing-of the .convolutions of the coil togetherwith the-relative. circumferen-- flail-displacement between the convolutions-and/or partial rotation. of the coiljis 'continuouslyre:

peatedsodong asathearmsfl: and. .arerocked. Therrelative-movementzot. the convolutions 01 the coils; effectively. ioosens'scale or otherforeign sub! stances thereon-and :facilitates thepenetration or. the :pickling solution therebetween. while .the; re, peated. partial+bodily rotation. of the coil .causes the loosened scale .or theliketo-bedisplaoedfrom within theconvolutions.

After. the; coilv or coilshavebeen. sufflciently treated the motor 29. isstopped and a. lifting. meansgapplied. .tothe loopsll, of. the bar. and the latter, together. with coil .orcoils .6 sus-.- pended thereon; bodilyrliftedand ,movedtoamy,- desired-point such as.-a rinsing tank: or. thelika Alternatively; ,thecoilsmay beremovedfrom the hook. prior to subsequent operations, thereom After theepreviouslytreated. coils haveibeenxea movedfrom: the. hook-.26;- other coils to be. treated maybe substituted :therefor by -inserting the-hook iatherethrough. Thebar. 25 is. thempositioned above thesemiecircular recesses. in thearms 23. 2| and,lower ed .until, it rests uponthe arms 23, 2.4. Thereafter, the lifting means Jsdisconnected. or. sufiicientslack introduced therein, and the. motor. 29-started.v

It. is. believed. that. the.- invention. will now. be clearly. apparent. from the above description; of the present preferredembodiment.

Variations, however, may beeffectedin-the dine closed apparatus. For example,,the rocking of. the, arms-23 and 2l-need.not.be,elfected byrempioying areversibleselectric motor together. with the circirithereinillustrated. and describedbut maybe .efiectedrby. a unidirectionalpower. means. connected with .theshaft I! by. asuitable =eccen, tric. or.- crank-arm.

The abutments Bland. may alsoebevaried from thoseshown .in .the. drawing, Thev opera tionisnotchangedif theabutment .90 behisher. than the abutment 89 nor, in fact, isitnecessary that .these abutments be. of .diflerent heights since theymay be of the. samev height but disposed with their inner edges at difierent distances fromthe vertical diameter. of thecoilsto be treated.- Moreover, the. circumferential displacement.- of.v the.- convolutionsoithe coils. and/or. partial rotation. of thecoils maybe. eifectedby surfaces. other. than the; substantially rectangular: abutments 111,-- lustrated, as'for. example; by'employing irregular. surfaces. of other configurations; which may be. supported. either. on-..the bottom; of the; tanker: spacemtherefrom. In.addition'. thehook-ZB. be replaced by other types of supporting mean-- bers.

These and. other modificationsz whichv be; effected by those skilled in the art areconsidered; as comprehendedwithin this invention. and;henco the-latter-is ;to be considered as limitedonly as required by=the spiritzandscope: of theappenrled claims.

Having thus described: my. invention; I claim? 1; An apparatus. for pickling loosely. coiled metallic stripmaterialcomprisinga .tanleadapted to contain .a picklingvsolutiom a pair of spaced abutments. in; the bottom of said tank and sup-- ported therein; .a supporting member adapted" to engageathez inner: convolution :of a. coil of the material to be treated within said tank; and'means to: repeatedly raise; and' lower said; supporting member; within .said t'ank: soithat the. weight of the coil is alternately zsupported'bysaid support-- ing :member: and by said spaced .abutments; said? abutments being; of such-sizeand so: spacecixthat the .coil engages. the onerof said abntments in ail-.- vancezof: the:- other during. the descentor: the

coil within the tank thereby efiecting partial rotation of the coil, and the said means for raising and lowering the supporting member including adjustable means settable to control the extent of movement of said supporting member relative to the said abutments.

2. An apparatus for pickling loosely coiled metallic strip material comprising a tank adapted to contain a pickling solution, supporting means adapted to engage the inner convolution of a coil to be pickled and support the coil suspended in said solution, a pair of spaced abutments in and supported by said tank for engaging and supporting the outer convolution of said coil, and means for raising and lowering said supporting means so that the weight of said coil is alternately supported by and relieved from said supporting means and said abutments thereby radially moving the inner convolutions of the coil relative to the outer convolutions, the spacing of said abutments being such that the coil engages one of the abutments to one side of the vertical diameter of the coil in advance of its engagement with the other of said abutments so that the weight of the coil effects a partial rotation thereof between each alternate raising and lowering of said supporting means, and the said means for raising and lowering the supporting means including a reversible power means, adjustable means responsive to the extent of movement of said supporting means in either direction for effecting reversal of said power means, the said adjustable means being settable to provide different extents of movement of said supporting means relative to said abutments.

3. An apparatus for pickling loosely coiled metallic strip material comprising an elongated tank adapted to contain a pickling solution, a

pair of spaced abutments in the bottom of said tank and supported thereby, a supporting member adapted to engage the inner convolution of 10 a coil of material to be treated, a shaft extending longitudinally along one side of said tank, a plurality of arms connected to said shaft and projecting inwardly of said tank so as to overhang said tank, means for connecting said supporting member to said arms, and means for oscillatin or rocking said shaft whereby the projecting ends of said arms overhanging said tank and in turn said supporting member are repeatedly raised and lowered so that the weight of the coil is alternately carried by said supporting member and by said spaced abutments, said abutments being of such size and so spaced that the coil engages one of said abutments in advance of the other during its descent within the tank thereby effecting partial rotation of the coil, and the said means for oscillating said shaft including a reversible electric motor connected to the shaft, electrical switch means connected with said motor to sequentially effect rotation thereof alternately in opposite directions, and adjustable means movable in timed relationship with the said supportting member engageable with said switch means for alternate actuation thereof. the said adjustable means being settable to provide diiferent extents of movement of said supporting member between actuations of the said switch means thereby controlling the extent of movement of the said member relative to the said abutments.

CHARLES G. WATSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,520,676 Koppin Dec. 23, 1924 1,734,986 Williams Nov. 12, 1929 2,122,913 Manion July 5, 1938 2,176,900 Greer Oct. 24, 1939

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